XR1000 Online Community

Tom:
Thanks for putting up the KR750 page, maybe this will bring in some new people to the board

GeneB

How about adding WR to this page since I understand that there is a renewed interest in vintage racing machines. I used to have a 1951 WR that I modified with a KR upper end and valve train. It sounded like an XLCH and kept right up with the big guys when cruising at a consistent speed down the freeway..

I still have a photocopy of a 1948 WR parts price list and miscellaneous original 1952-68 KR, 1958 and later XLR, 1970 XR parts catalogs and tuning manual if anyone needs any specific information. I also have a couple of parts catalogs covering the 1972-75 aluminum XR750..

-jm

Joe,
you are right. When talking about HD vintage racers the WR shouldn't be forgotten. So I added the WR to the KR750 vintage racers section. Feel free to upload any pictures of those bikes you have owned into the XR gallery.

The WR's do indeed have a very active scene and you already can find a lot of good places in the internet, i.e. http://www.beautyofspeed.com/ http://www.flatheadpower.com http://www.harleysons.de

Tom

Tom:

Danke sehr. I've always had a soft spot for the older machines, but the prices are so inflated nowadays that I wouldn't even consider buying another one. I remember back in the 1960's when WR stuff could be found laying in the corner of some guy's garages and you could get a basket job for fifty bucks or less, though in the early 1970's I paid $150 for the complete 51 WR motor which I put in a genuine WR frame that I got in trade for parts. I made a street chopper out of it, so the rest was a combination of WL and XL parts. Unfortunately, the ball bearing motor didn't last long because I took it for long runs out on the open road and a lot of guys on 1200's put me through my paces...and got a surprise..

Unfortunately, I got into a bad financial pinch about ten years ago and was forced to sell it as is. I have a picture of it somewhere, but it was far from stock having a KR-750 upper end and valve train, slightly raked frame, cut fenders, XLCH front end, gas tank, oil tank, dual mufflers, magneto, 12V electrical system, Bates head/tail light, solo seat/pillion pad, B&H footshift, etc.

The worst part about selling it was when I started hearing from strangers that the guy who bought it was telling everyone that *he* had built it..

-jm

Joe, that's sure right about the inflated prices. I remember when a lot of that old stuff was more or less free. Makes me wonder who's grabbing it up, and why?

I'd like to hear more about your WR if you don't mind.

I have a 53 KK basket with KR heads (not sure if they came with the KR heads) that I picked up about twenty two years ago for $175.00. I know it will never be a powerhouse, so I'm going to concentrate on the chassis, although it won't be no slouch either.

I don't have the final configuration nailed down yet, but it will be rubber mounted, with a Buell XB swing arm/oil tank combo, brakes and wheels. Not sure about the fork yet (leaning to-wards late big springer, black). Holley twin throat for carburation. I already have the parts mentioned and just picked up a nos. aftermarket aluminum racing primary for it too.

I've also considered a aluminum monocoque frame, but that might be to much, in more ways than one. Most likely, I will end up doing something more conventional. Later!

Guy

Gene, I did not find the link but check out my post on this site about the KR, maybe you know the owner? Bill/XRNUT